There are a lot of picture books I love, but few that I think about when I’m not reading them. Chloe and the Lion will pop into my head from time to time, and every time that happens, I’ll watch the video with Mac Barnett and Adam Rex for a laugh as they argue about who’s most important to a picture book, the author or the illustrator. It’s the perfect meta-book.

OK, this may not seem like a kid’s media thing, but bear with me for a second. In 2012, I couldn’t pry my eyes away from endless election coverage online. On convention, debate, and election nights, I was in a perpetual state of refreshing my browser. When memes like Binders Full of Women and Mitt Romney firing Big Bird spread instantaneously, I couldn’t help but feel a shift in the world. My little kids are going to grow up in this world of instant news, opinions, and memes. What’s that going to be like?

This isn’t a card game you’ve heard of. It’s one that Tim Goldman and I designed with Olive’s 1st grade class over the course of several game design sessions. The kids designed a game that blends the animal food chain beautifully with the math concepts they’re learning, and I’m so proud of them. I hope to make it for sale on the blog in the new year.

4. Summer Olympics

This was the first Olympics where Olive was old enough to watch and be interested in. In 2024, she expects to compete in Olympic swimming, diving, and bicycle racing.